It was with a sense of deep disgust and dismay that we received news that renowned film director Somaratne Dissanayake who is a ardent supporter of the Rajapaksa regime reiterated on a political programme broadcast over a private media network that if the present President wins the forthcoming election, he will use his second term to subjugate and further strangle the private media. Mr. Dissanayake in fact went so far as to say that President Mahinda Rajapaksa had given
him a pledge that he would act to restrict the private media if he wins a second term.
Needless to say this is a terrifying state of affairs, especially in light of the fact that the current regime has been responsible for the all but collapse of the
independent media in Sri Lanka, during its four years in power. Even at the height of conflict and insurrection, Sri Lanka's media has remained vibrant and resilient, able to withstand immense political pressure. However the fascist tactics of the present administration which used Goebbelian methods to manacle the free media in this country in the name of national security has proved almost too much for journalists and media organisations. Under no other government in the history of this nation have so many journalists been killed, abducted and tortured, intimidated into silence or forced to flee the country to safeguard their lives. This
administration is complicit in every one of these crimes against the media community, by its sheer refusal to take any form of tangible action against the perpetrators of these heinous acts. The culture of impunity created and nurtured by this government has allowed all kinds of unscrupulous elements to run amok in this country, spurred on by the administration's constant labelling of journalists and media houses as 'patriots' and 'traitors' depending on whether they pay homage to the ruling family or not.
It is in light of all this that Mr. Dissanayake's statement about Mahinda Rajapaksa's future course of action becomes such a frightening prospect. What is left of the independent press must surely wonder what more can be done to restrict their activities. They have watched
colleagues being murdered in cold blood in broad daylight, watched broadcasting studios and presses burned by armed gangs, survived countless abductions by the mysterious 'white van' hooligans and peers being given irrationally harsh jail sentences under the Prevention of Terrorism Act. There is little else to throw at the media in order to tighten the state's grip on them short of summary executions of scribes and broadcasters for the crime of offering a
different viewpoint.
This fascist, Nazi-esque stranglehold on the free media has no space in a democratic and civilised Sri Lanka. Mr. Dissanayake may betray his profession and his colleagues by joining hands with a politician that seeks only to repress and curtail the rights of the people even
further, but this is precisely why his candidate will be defeated by the people at the Presidential poll on January 26. The people of this country sacrificially accepted the curtailment of their rights, to information, movement and expression while the country was at war with a fierce terrorist outfit. But Sri Lanka is no longer at war and one of the benefits of the peace should have been the immediate re-establishment of democracy, the freedom of expression and the rule
of law in this country. Yet having enjoyed the fruits of an intimidated Fourth Estate this long, the Rajapaksa administration has no intention of loosening the noose on the media. It is this legacy of repression and suppression he seeks to perpetuate during a second term, that would ensure his family can hold on to power for as long as possible.
I urge the people of this nation who genuinely wish for a return to the principles of freedom and civility that defined our great nation once upon a time, to join hands with us to defeat the political forces that seek to make barbarians of us. We must strive for something better. The power lies with the people. Choose wisely therefore when you vote on January 26.
him a pledge that he would act to restrict the private media if he wins a second term.
Needless to say this is a terrifying state of affairs, especially in light of the fact that the current regime has been responsible for the all but collapse of the
independent media in Sri Lanka, during its four years in power. Even at the height of conflict and insurrection, Sri Lanka's media has remained vibrant and resilient, able to withstand immense political pressure. However the fascist tactics of the present administration which used Goebbelian methods to manacle the free media in this country in the name of national security has proved almost too much for journalists and media organisations. Under no other government in the history of this nation have so many journalists been killed, abducted and tortured, intimidated into silence or forced to flee the country to safeguard their lives. This
administration is complicit in every one of these crimes against the media community, by its sheer refusal to take any form of tangible action against the perpetrators of these heinous acts. The culture of impunity created and nurtured by this government has allowed all kinds of unscrupulous elements to run amok in this country, spurred on by the administration's constant labelling of journalists and media houses as 'patriots' and 'traitors' depending on whether they pay homage to the ruling family or not.
It is in light of all this that Mr. Dissanayake's statement about Mahinda Rajapaksa's future course of action becomes such a frightening prospect. What is left of the independent press must surely wonder what more can be done to restrict their activities. They have watched
colleagues being murdered in cold blood in broad daylight, watched broadcasting studios and presses burned by armed gangs, survived countless abductions by the mysterious 'white van' hooligans and peers being given irrationally harsh jail sentences under the Prevention of Terrorism Act. There is little else to throw at the media in order to tighten the state's grip on them short of summary executions of scribes and broadcasters for the crime of offering a
different viewpoint.
This fascist, Nazi-esque stranglehold on the free media has no space in a democratic and civilised Sri Lanka. Mr. Dissanayake may betray his profession and his colleagues by joining hands with a politician that seeks only to repress and curtail the rights of the people even
further, but this is precisely why his candidate will be defeated by the people at the Presidential poll on January 26. The people of this country sacrificially accepted the curtailment of their rights, to information, movement and expression while the country was at war with a fierce terrorist outfit. But Sri Lanka is no longer at war and one of the benefits of the peace should have been the immediate re-establishment of democracy, the freedom of expression and the rule
of law in this country. Yet having enjoyed the fruits of an intimidated Fourth Estate this long, the Rajapaksa administration has no intention of loosening the noose on the media. It is this legacy of repression and suppression he seeks to perpetuate during a second term, that would ensure his family can hold on to power for as long as possible.
I urge the people of this nation who genuinely wish for a return to the principles of freedom and civility that defined our great nation once upon a time, to join hands with us to defeat the political forces that seek to make barbarians of us. We must strive for something better. The power lies with the people. Choose wisely therefore when you vote on January 26.
